Indian minister says eight nuke plants necessary for self-defence

UNITED STATES: An Indian minister forcefully defended his country's designation of eight of 22 nuclear reactors for military purposes under a U.S.-Indian civilian nuclear cooperation pact now being considered by the U.S. Congress.

Kapil Sibal, India's science and technology minister, told an audience at the Council on Foreign Relations that while India would never launch a first-strike nuclear attack, it needs nuclear weapons to defend itself.

"It would be very unfair on India to say that you shouldn't bother about your security concerns and put all your nuclear plants under safeguards," he said. "The security concerns are defensive in nature, not offensive."

On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appeared before a skeptical Congress at back-to-back hearings on the issue.

While several key lawmakers indicated support, some worried that the pact would undermine efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and might boost India's nuclear arsenal.

Under the deal, considered a major U.S. policy shift, the United States would ship nuclear technology and fuel to India.

In return, India would allow international inspections and safeguards at 14 nuclear reactors it has designated as civilian; India's eight military facilities, however, would be off-limits.

"When you say that eight of the 22 nuclear facilities are out of safeguards, it's because of our security concerns and (the United States') recognition of the fact that India has security concerns," Sibal said. His comments referred to Pakistan, a nuclear power India has fought three wars with since gaining independence from Britain in 1947.

WASHINGTON, Friday AP